Water damage prevention system

ABSTRACT

A water damage prevention system enables the collection of large amounts of water in the case of a leak from a water heater to reduce the change of water damage to a house or other structure in case of a leak. Water is contained by an extending partition attached to the top of the side wall of a container. The system also uses blocks to support the water heater and increase the water storage volume in the container.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to water leak containmentsystems, and more specifically, to a water damage prevention system forcontaining water leaking from a water heater.

2. Description of Related Art

Water leak containment systems are well known in the art and areeffective means to catch and redirect water escaping from a water heaterto an area less harmful than where the water heater is positioned. Forexample, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional drip pan system 101 having basin103 with a drain 105 attached. During use, a water heater 107 is placedon and in the basin so that water dripping from the heater 107 falls inthe basin 103. Water caught by the basin 103 is evacuated through thedrain 105.

One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is its limitedefficiency. For example, water heaters 107 are commonly positioned inclosets, garages and attics, dust is able to collect along with otherdebris that blocks the drain 105. With the drain 105 blocked, watercannot flow out of the basin 103 causing it to spill and cause damage.

Additionally, the basin 103 does not accommodate more than a smallamount of water increasing the likelihood of a spill.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of drippan system, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of thepresent application are set forth in the appended claims. However, theembodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a common drip pan system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional side views of a water damageprevention system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent application;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of the system of FIGS. 2A and 2B in use;and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the preferred method of use of the system ofFIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the system ofFIGS. 2A and 2B; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

While the system and method of use of the present application issusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however,that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional filtration systems. Specifically, thesystem of the present application reduces the opportunity for the basinto collect debris thus preventing the drain from clogging. In addition,the invention of the present application provides for capturing a largeamount of water. These and other unique features of the system andmethod of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe system are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art tofollow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 2Aand 2B depict a side views of a water damage prevention system inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. Itwill be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one of more of theabove-listed problems commonly associated with conventional drip pansystems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes floor 203 having aside wall 205 around the periphery extending upwards from floor 203 tocreate a compartment 207 configured to hold water. The compartment 207having blocks 213 that rest on floor 203 that allow a water heater 107to be placed thereon.

The side wall 205 having a retractable partition 209 attached at the top211. The partition 209 configured to extend upward as depicted by motionA, increasing the capacity of the system 201 to both prevent thecollection of debris and store water. The side wall 205 also having adrain 105 passing there through.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in use, the water heater 107 is placed onblocks 213 and partition 209 is raised. When a leak occurs the water iscollected by the partition 209 and compartment 207. The water isredirected by drain 105.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believedcharacteristic of the present application is that retractable partition209 prevents debris from collecting in the compartment 207 and increasesthe amount of water that the system 201. It will also be appreciatedthat partition 209 can be lowered to facilitate access for maintenanceor work on the water heater 107.

Another unique feature believed characteristic of the presentapplication is that blocks 213 increase the capacity of water incompartment 207 further preventing the escape of water from the system201. It is contemplated and will be appreciated that blocks 213 could beattached to and extending away from the top surface of the floor 203 sothat blocks 213 and compartment 207 are one piece.

It will be understood that various materials such as aluminum andpolyvinyl chloride could be used depending on the type of heater 107 inuse.

Referring now to FIG. 4 the preferred method of use of the system 201 isdepicted. Method 401 including placing the system in the location wherethe water heater will be located 403, arranged the blocks to support thewater heater 405, placing the water heater on the blocks 407, connectingthe water and fuel sources 409, raising the extendable partition 411,using the water heater 413 and capturing any water that leaks from theheater 415.

Referring now to FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment of the system 201 isdepicted. Embodiment 501 includes a body 503 having legs 505 extendingout and away from the side thereof. The legs 505 being hollow and theend surfaces 507 being open. The body further includes openings 509 ineach leg 505 that pass through the body 503 to the interior 515 thereof.

The body 503 is configured to fit in a basin 103 as depicted by motion Band FIG. 6. The body 503 is contemplated to have an overall height 511that is greater or equal to the height 513 of the basin. It will beappreciated that the body 503 so configured enables a water heater torest thereon so as to free space or volume in the basin 103 to collectwater. It will further be appreciated that having open ends 507 andopenings 509 improves the volume of water that can be stored in thebasin 103.

While the body 503 is depicted having four legs 505 and number of legsis contemplate and four are provided as an example.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theembodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above,they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed:
 1. A water damage prevention system comprising: acompartment formed by a floor with a side wall extending up around theouter periphery; an extendable partition attached to the top of the sidewall; and a drain passing through the side wall; wherein the extendablepartition is raised to increase the water storage capacity of thecompartment and prevent the collection of debris in the compartment. 2.The system of claim 1 wherein blocks are placed on the floor in thecompartment and support a water heater; wherein the blocks create volumein the compartment by raising the water heater off of the floor.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the blocks are attached to the floor as onepiece.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the blocks, compartment orextendable partition are made of aluminum.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein the blocks, compartment or extendable partition are made ofpolyvinyl chloride.
 6. A method of containing leaks from a water heatergiven the system of claim 1, comprising: placing the system in thelocation where the water heater will be located; arranged the blocks tosupport the water heater; placing the water heater on the blocks;connecting the water and fuel sources; raising the extendable partition;using the water heater; and capturing any water that leaks from theheater.
 7. A water damage prevention system comprising: a body having aplurality of legs extending out from each other and being hollow;wherein the body is configured to be placed in a basin.
 8. The system ofclaim 7 wherein the body has openings in the legs thereof to allowaccess to the interior of body to a fluid.
 9. The system of claim 7wherein the end surfaces of the legs are open to allow a fluid to enterthe interior thereof.